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Significant Series Windows
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PCSIG-SignificantSeriesWindows-Win31.iso
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manual.doc
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1992-06-02
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H A N G M A N J R.
for Windows
Copyright (c) 1992
DESCRIPTION:
Hangman Jr. is a spelling game for kids ranging from 5 - 9 years old.
It features the ability to present a picture to give the child a hint
rather than a sentence, which may be confusing, considering that this
is a game designed to help them learn to read.
Essentially, Hangman Jr. presents a graphics image (which can range from
a clip art picture to a photo of Uncle Bob) and the child can choose
letters from the alphabet (presented at the top of the window) until the
name of the image is correctly spelled. At this point the child is
rewarded with a pretty picture proclaiming that he or she is a wonderful
speller.
Unlike conventional Hangman games, there is no penalty for not getting a
letter correct. Indeed, there is NO NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT at all in this
game, so there is no undue pressure for your child to "get it right." If
the child chooses a "wrong" letter, for instance, it simply migrates over
to the TrashCan icon and 'dumps' itself. As with conventional hangman,
the letters already chosen are not usable, and the word is written on the
screen so that the child can see it forming...
We did not include underscores ( __ ) to the letters as we felt it would
be confusing to younger children. In the example file, for instance, we
have a LEOPARD. Now, that's a tall order for a 6 year old to get that
one, and we didn't feel comfortable putting 7 underscores on screen so
that the child may feel overwhelmed. Even so, our test crew of 5 and 6
year olds were able to get it correct (even if it took a while...) and
were quite proud of themselves (and justifiably so) for doing so.
In short, Hangman Jr. is a reasonable vehicle for allowing children to
associate words with accompanying pictures, without pressure.
FEATURES:
The files used by Hangman Jr. can be modified, added to, and otherwise
easily manipulated by Mom & Dad. Hangman Jr. files are denoted by a .HJF
extension, and they are simply a list of words and associated pictures.
There's built-in file Creator / Editor for this purpose. The nice thing
about this is that you are not limited in any way to the files we
provide, or a limit of files at all. Hangman Jr. can work with ANY
number of data files. The only limit you have is data storage.
Each file, as it is OPENed by Hangman Jr., is randomised. If a child
likes a particular subject, for instance, he or she is not presented
with the list in the same order every time, even if the same file is
OPENed time after time. Try OPENing the example ANIMALS file a few
times to see this.
The window was designed such that the child using it has a minimum of
items on screen, which can be confusing. The NEXT button, for instance,
will grab the next available word/picture immediately.
OPERATION:
The design of Hangman Jr. tries to keep things as simple for Mom & Dad
as for the intended 5 - 9 year old user. For instance, there are only
2 menu items: FILE and MANUAL. The File menu allows you to edit, create,
and otherwise manipulate data files. The MANUAL menu allows you to read
this text while the program is running.
Let's look at the FILE submenu:
NEW:
This item allows you to create a NEW file from scratch. You will be
asked to enter a filename, such as ANIMALS. You are then put into the
EDIT window. Essentially, editing is simple: you choose a graphics
filename from the upper right hand list by clicking the name. The
graphics files can have *.BMP or *.WMF extensions. BMP is the standard
Windows BitMaP format, while WMF is the Windows MetaFile format. The
name you chose will appear in the GRAPHICS FILE textbox. You then enter
the name the child will spell in the ENTER WORDS HERE textbox. Click the
ADD Button, and the spelling word will be ADDED to the DropDown list of
words. To verify that a Word is associated with the correct graphics
file, choose the word from the DropDown list. The associated graphics
filename will appear in the GRAPHICS FILE text box. Deleting a word is
similar: click the DELETE button instead of the ADD button.
You can also make sure that a graphics image is the one you THINK it is
before you ADD it to the list: just choose a graphics file from the list
box (its' name will appear in the GRAPHICS FILE textbox) and then click
the IMAGE PREVIEW button.
When you are finished, click the DONE button. The last step you need to
do is SAVE the edited file. See SAVE and SAVE AS below.
OPEN:
You will be presented with a standard windows FILEOPEN dialog box. You
can choose the disk drive and the directory; the list of valid *.HJF
files will appear in the left hand listbox. Click the name of choice
and choose OK, or DOUBLECLICK the filename.
This file will now be used by Hangman Jr. It may be up to 500 words
long, but no more than that.
SAVE:
This choice saves the current data file, such as one you have just
finished editing or creating. It saves it in the current directory and
under the same name as OPENed for editing or CREATED with.
SAVE AS:
Allows you to save the current data file BUT using a different name than
it was OPENed or CREATED with. You will be asked to enter a filename.
DO NOT APPEND A DOS EXTENSION. Hangman Jr. WILL DO THIS FOR YOU!
EDIT:
EDIT will allow you to edit an EXISTING FILE. Like the FILE OPEN
description, choose the file you wish to edit. See NEW above for
instructions on the EDIT window.
ABOUT:
Tells you who we are and how we can be reached, and you revision number.
EXIT:
Quits Hangman Jr.
MANUAL submenu:
READ / PRINT MANUAL:
Allows you to read this manual on-line (like if you're learning how to
edit) or print it as you require. If you want it on-line, you can either
place the MANUAL window in the background or minimize it to an ICON as
you desire. You place it in the background by clicking the Hangman Jr
window, (which makes the program active) and you put it in the
foreground (making the program wait) by clicking the manual window.
FILL / PRINT ORDER FORM:
Gee, we'd really like to hear from you, so we reckoned you'd say hello
if we made it a little easier...
NOTES:
The reinforcement images (the ones that come up when a child gets the
word spelled) are listed as W1.BMP - W4.BMP. These may be edited by you
but PLEASE keep the same names, and don't delete any. You may edit these
by using WIndows PAINTBRUSH or a similar program.
SHAREWARE:
Hangman Jr. is shareware. Shareware is not a TYPE of software; rather,
it is a form of distribution / marketing. Essentially, it is a method
by which you can obtain and evaluate fully functional software at your
leisure and THEN decide whether or not it is worth purchasing. Like the
software on your local retail shelves, this is a copyrighted program.
Now, of course, we would like you to buy this software. Let's talk about
that. Hangman Jr. sells for $14. Now we know that you paid SOMETHING to
get it. If you purchase Hangman Jr. we will discount up to $4 off of the
price, based on what you had to pay for a disk from a shareware disk
vendor. No need to ask you to PAY to evaluate it, is there? Just send us
a copy of a receipt showing us the purchase price. If you spent money
to download Hangman Jr. from one of the big "pay" BBS's like GEnie or
COMPUSERVE, send us a printout of your download time estimate from your
comm program.
We'll also ship a collection of over 200 images (most in colour) that
will help you get started on building a dictionary for your child. The
pictures include foods, household items, images from around the world,
and some more animals that kids can recognise. ( This set is very large
and cannot be distributed well via shareware channnels. )
Purchase of Hangman Jr. will also get you the latest copy of the
program, and, of course, the UNLICENSED COPY tag will be removed. In
addition, you'll also recieve discounts on other Alston Software Labs
products; We'll send you a catalogue. You may be surprised at what we
have to offer.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NOTE: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Updates and ASL new releases can be found on
The Collector's Forum BBS
(619) 463 - 9222 ALL BAUD RATES!
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
********************** "Fine Print" Section *******************
Disclaimer:
Hangman Jr. is supplied as-is with no warranty whatsoever with
regard to merchantability or fitness for purpose. Alston Software
Labs assumes no responsibility for any consequences of use or
misuse of this program.